Experience the wonder of words by focusing on the Latin and Greek elements used in English.
This newsletter is produced whenever time can be found,
so there is no regular schedule.
Senior Scribe a.k.a. John Robertson
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John Robertson:
I received your book on 6/26/00. Congratulations on a great book. You no doubt spent a great amount of time in research. I find the book fascinating.
It’s been over 45 years since I studied Latin and Greek in college and unless one keeps it up, one tends to forget. You have rekindled my interest. Now that I’m retired, I’ll have more time. I have always been interested in the origin of words especially from Latin and Greek.
Because the schools do not teach Latin and Greek as they once did, your book would be invaluable in helping students with the English language; thereby enriching their thought process. I am so happy that we still have people in this world who regard knowledge of Latin and Greek essential to scholarly development.
To quote Seneca, Jr. from your book: “Non scholae, sed vitae discimus.” Thank you for your “illusions” and also many thanks to your wife.
Jeffrey
[Note from your editor: The “illusions” referred to the dedication in Words for a Modern Age, A Cross Reference of Latin and Greek Combining Elements in which I wrote: “Dedicated to my wife, who has been my sine qua non. She has kept me in good health with her loving concern for my well being and has rarely interfered with my efforts to strive for my ‘illusions.’ ”
The Latin quotation by Seneca, Jr. means: “We don’t learn just for school, but we learn for life.”].
Speaking of books. The following came from The Spelling Newsletter published by Ray Laurita, Leonardo Press, PO Box 1326, Camden, ME 04843. More information may be seen at spelling doctor or e-mail: leonardo@spellingdoctor.com
Can This Be True? Department
After reading the following exchange which appeared in the Metropolitan Diary, I have a strong feeling that our readers will be equally dismayed:
Carol Ruth Langer stopped at the information desk of a Barnes & Noble in Midtown to inquire about a copy of the Book of Job.
“How would you be spelling ‘Job’?" the clerk asked.
“J -- O -- B," Ms. Langer said.
“Job books are in the career section."
Ms. Langer tried again. “Not job, Job, a book in the Bible."
“Who is the author" the clerk asked.
Ms. Langer knew it was time to leave.
As seen in the May 15, 2000, issue of the New York Times.
These are REAL Headlines with double meanings that have appeared in newspapers from around the world. The list was contributed to this newsletter by a friend.
March Planned For Next August
Blind Bishop Appointed To See
Lingerie Shipment Hijacked - Thief Gives Police The Slip
L.A. Voters Approve Urban Renewal By Landslide
Patient At Death’s Door - Doctors Pull Him Through
Diaper Market Bottoms Out
Stadium Air Conditioning Fails - Fans Protest
Queen Mary Having Bottom Scraped
Antique Stripper to Display Wares at Store
Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Fund Set Up for Beating Victim’s Kin
Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 Years
Never Withhold Herpes Infection From Loved One
Autos Killing 110 a Day - Let’s Resolve to Do Better
If Strike Isn’t Settled Quickly, It May Last A While
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Blind Woman Gets New Kidney from Dad She Hasn’t Seen in Years
Flaming Toilet Seat Causes Evacuation at High School
Defendants Speech Ends in Long Sentence
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Stiff Opposition Expected to Casketless Funeral Plan
Collegians are Turning to Vegetables
Quarter of a Million Chinese Live on Water
Farmer Bill Dies in House
Eye Drops off Shelf
Reagan Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
Two Sisters Reunited after 18 Years in Checkout Counter
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Deaf College Opens Doors to Hearing
Prosecutor Releases Probe into Undersheriff
Old School Pillars are Replaced by Alumni
Sex Education Delayed, Teachers Request Training
And even in Germany-
From the Mendener Zeitung: “748 Männer arbeiten im Rathaus, 312 davon sind Frauen.” (748 men work in the city hall of which 312 are women).
From the March 20, 2000, issue of DER SPIEGEL, page270.
That reminds me of a statement made by George W. Bush a few weeks ago when he was speaking about children and parental responsibilities, especially of fathers. I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) and Bush was saying, “Every father is responsible for his or her children.” Was it an extraordinary effort on his part to be PC (politically correct)?
Dan Quayle quotes:
“A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.”
“I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracyóbut that could change.”
“If we do not succeed, then we run the risk of failure.”
“I love California; I practically grew up in Phoenix.”
“I stand by all the misstatements that I’ve made.”
“It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.”
“One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice-president, and that one word is “to be prepared.”
“People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history.”
“The future will be better tomorrow.”
“The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation’s history. I mean in this century’s history. But we all lived in this century. I didn’t live in this century.”
“The loss of life will be irreplaceable.”
“We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.”
“We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe.”
“We’re going to have the best-educated American people in the world.”
“What a waste it is to lose one’s mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.”
“When I have been asked during these last weeks who caused the riots and the killing in L.A., my answer has been direct and simple: Who is to blame for the riots? The rioters are to blame. Who is to blame for the killings? The killers are to blame.”
“Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.”
Groucho Marx quotes:
“A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.”
“Either this man is dead or my watch has stopped.”
“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
“I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.”
“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.”
“Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them... well, I have others.”
“When I picked up your book I was so convulsed with laughter that I had to set it down, but one day I intend to read it.”
“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
“Some people claim that marriage interferes with romance. There’s no doubt about it. Anytime you have a romance, your wife is bound to interfere.”
The previous Dan Quayle and Groucho Marx quotes came from Austin Quotes or http://www.zmedia.com where you may subscribe to his daily quotations.
Latin-Greek-English Cross-Reference Search Sites
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